EFFECT OF GAP DIMENSION ON WEAR-RESISTANCE OF LUTING AGENTS

Purpose: To examine the correlation between horizontal gap width and wear depth of luting resin cements and a glass ionomer used with resin composite inlays. Materials and Methods: A cylindrical cavity (4x3 mm) was made on the occlusal surface of molars. Four specimens were prepared for each luting agent. The samples were subjected to a three-body wear test for 400,000 cycles. The wear values of both composite and luting agents were determined by profilometric tracings to the nearest 2 mu m. The relationship between gap width and wear depth was confirmed by linear regression analysis. Results: Significant relationships existed amongst gap width, cement wear and type of cement. The effects were considerably less pronounced with microfilled cements.